2011 UK Jewellery design Awards
Hundreds of jewellers celebrated the best in UK jewellery design at a glitzy gala dinner on July 14 to mark the UK Jewellery Awards 2011, with Katie Rowland attributing her win as New Designer of the Year to the growing power of women in the market.
At the glamorous black-tie event held in the sumptuous Grosvenor House Hotel, sponsored by Retail Jeweller magazine, a leading UK trade publication, Katie Rowland scooped New jewelry Designer of the Year against intense competition from the elite of Britain’s emerging design talent.
“It’s a huge honour and really wonderful to be recognised by the industry and all the people who support the industry and support the work that new designers do in moving the industry forward," Rowland said.
"All of my jewellery is heavily inspired by the role of women," she added.
"My jewellery really is aimed for that confident, self assured woman and it’s very much designed for that modern, contemporary woman who knows what she wants.
"It’s a fantastic event to celebrate new talent within the industry."
The other benchmark award, Jewellery Designer of the Year, was won by Tomasz Donocik, again beating off stiff competition in a year that has seen the cream of Britain’s jewellery design talent come to the fore as retailers increasingly back designers to develop their own brands.
The UK jewellery industry takes the annual UK Jewellery Awards very seriously as the event underlines the huge efforts made by professionals, from sales executives to marketers and designers, to bring an innovative, first-class product to a more sophisticated and demanding consumer.
The challenge this year has been complicated by the surge in prices, and increasing volatility, in precious metals markets, which has intensified the need for exemplary design skills and marketing.
Gold’s jump to trade around record highs, a phenomenal rally in diamond prices, and the rising prominence of silver, are changing the landscape of jewellery marketing, against fierce competition from other sectors such as electronic entertainment and tourism.
"This event is so important for the industry to recognise and encourage excellence and best practices within the industry,” said Jayant Raniga, brand manager of PureJewels, an east London retailer which has supported UK designers with its Platinum Heritage Collection showcased at London Jewellery Week in June.
“It’s so important to recognise these successes at the UK Jewellery Awards. It sets the benchmark for other people in the industry to aspire to,” Raniga added.
“I see new innovation and creativity in the pipeline. A lot of news things are going to be emerging within the next year."
Della Tinsley, Managing Director of London Jewellery Week, said the winners at the UK Jewellery Awards 2011 should appreciate that the industry itself is recognising their talents and contributions.
“Acknowledgement within the industry from your peers is a very important thing and this kind of awards event celebrates all of that," she said.
Sarah Carpin of CMJ Media, part of the UK’s biggest buying group, the Company of Master Jewellers, said, “The event is about getting an award from your peers in the industry, which is very important. Everybody takes these awards incredibly seriously.”
Carpin said many industry participants had invested huge amounts of time and money into the UK Jewellery Awards, underscoring the extent of their commitment to support the industry.
The following is the list of winners at the UK Jewellery Awards 2011:
Retail Star of the Year - Andrew Pass, John Pass Jewellers
Jewellery Designer of the Year - Tomasz Donocik
Business Initiative of the Year - Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design
Jewellery Etailer of the Year - Steffans.co.uk
Catwalk Jewels of the Year - Manik Mercian
Platinum Bridal Collection - GEMEX
Italian Jewels of the Year - Danila Tarcinale
Boutique Retailer of the Year - EC One
Retail Employer of the Year - Beaverbrooks The Jewellers
Independent Retailer of the year - Rox Watch and Diamond Specialists
New Designer of the year - Katie Rowland Jewellery
Multiple Retailer of the Year - Fraser Hart Fields
Supplier of the Year - Sharman D Neill
Jewellery Brand of the year - Ti Sento
Watch Brand of the year - Bremont
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